it really depends on how you transport the mini. If more like a more expensive full sized where you want a case to protect very well and transport in vehicle then the hardshell. If you want to say hike or something the SKB will protect very well but be about the weight of the Taylor bag, Can use like a back pack.

Personally I like the hard shell case( which may very well be made by SKB) but if I was going to use it camping or hiking then the SKB soft case would be better.

Before I sold my Mini I went through the same debate. I was more leaning towards the SKB. I had a similar TKL plastic case with my Cole Clark, but it cracked when I bumped the case going down the stairs at a parking garage with concrete stairs. Seems to me that the SKB would be more durable, but I have to admit I like the aesthetic of the TKL better.

I don't have a Taylor but faced a similar choice. I bought a Tak Nex stage guitar and the genuine case was not available so I bought an SKB case almost identical to the one in your pic.

Some time later I started to look about for a slim, neat, light, better than a gig bag case. I bought an MBT Polyfoam and that's all I ever use now, the shoulder strap is great if you have other gear. A little trolley a few straps and guitar over the shoulder, in and out in one trip. The SKB hard case sits in the corner. If it was going in a truck I might use it. Oh, bought another MBT for the Tele as well and the Hiscox sits.

I'm curious as to why you want to replace the original bag? I have more trust in my mini's bag than in the hardcase that came with my martin. the mini is my travel guitar, I toss it around, throw it in the car, jam it into overhead compartments on planes, all with the mini in its bag. I just returned from a business trip where the case saved me from having to carry checked baggage: I stuffed my socks and underwear in the guitar, and padded the guitar with shirts and pants. it's amazing how much you can fit into that case. several times, I leaned the guitar against something, and it fell over, headstock first, onto the tile floor at the airport. I don't even bother to catch it when that happens, because the case protects the guitar perfectly. lastly I would not want a hard case because on small planes, I can only fit the mini if I squeeze the case into the overhead bin and slam it shut. in my experience, I have yet to see a guitar case that beats the one that comes with the mini.

The textile hard bag/case by SKB (1SKB-SCGSM) is what I decided to go with. The 1SKB-GSM is a proper hardshell, but those huge latches sticking out made me choose the lighter, fabric covered, zipper-style, with more pockets and more carrying configurations (backpack straps). I don't like the long zipper around its circumference, but I've never had a case like these, so I figured it's worth a try.

Would the SKB and the hard shell both be considered of equal quality? In other words, would both protect the GS Mini equally well?

The textile version will protect the GS Mini while not banging up your walls and car when you bump the case going through doorways and stuff. I wanted something that supported the GS Mini (from snapping in half, if something fell against it or on it), because the Taylor Bag relies on the GS Mini's own integrity to not snap in half (although it deserves credit for supporting the neck so well (for a bag)).

The hard plastic version will withstand being checked under a plane and having other people's baggage stacked on top of it. Much less storage for cables, books, tuners, straps, pedals, strings, etc. Will show scratches and little white dry-wall marks from bumping into walls very quickly and the extruded aluminum channels are more fragile than you'd think, but very water resistant while they line up properly.

The hard plastic version would be better for anytime "baggage handlers" or "roadies" transport your gear in planes or touring trailers. If you're just throwing it in the car, riding a bike, walking, or horseback riding, the textile version will be more practical and a lot lighter in weight, I think.

It hugs the guitar better than any case I've ever seen. It has more padding and protection than any case I have ever seen.

Without a hard shell, its not as protective against stepping on it or dropping things on it, but it definitely protects the guitar way better from things like dropping the case.

To protect against an accidental stepping-on I would go with a hard case.

To protect against dropping down a flight of stairs I would go with the SKB hard bag every time.

Your testimony is very reassuring, since this will be my first "hard-foam" or whatever case. Textile medium shell? What am I supposed to do with the original beige gig bag now? It doesn't really fold up or anything. Is there any reason to keep the OG bag? To those who've gotten a case for theirs, did you ever use the original tan bag ever again?

People buy them for various reasons, e.g. someone on here wanted one cuz the one he'd got smelled of smoke.

I saw a nice GS Mini sans case on eBay once, the guy said the case had been ruined by wet mould, having been left in the garage (while guitar was indoors).

ps. I'm with Desert Twang, I find the Taylor bag more than adequate for carriage. Front pocket holds 4 cans of beer with ease !
I realise if I fall off my bike with it, it's probably toast, especially with the beers on board. Life's full of risks. ...